Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) – Review

Before watching the new Independence Day I decided to revisit the original. I can’t remember whether or not I saw it in cinemas originally, but it must have been around twenty years ago when I last saw it. I could still remember how strange it was that someone was able to plug his laptop into an alien spacecraft and easily upload a virus. I remembered the main story, but had forgotten the details. But what a joy it was to revisit it again! It offers exactly what I have come to expect from disaster movies: a number of characters you know just enough about to care for them, impressive destruction and being able to solve impossible situations. It also used a lot of practical effects and miniatures making it all the more convincing. But what did I have to expect from a sequel?

Except for the poster I didn’t see any trailer or single screenshot of the film so I had no idea if Resurrection would continue where the previous one stopped or if it would be set years after the events that took place in the original. Resurgence is set twenty years later and humanity has, thanks to alien technology, developed very quickly. Helicopters no longer have the need for blades, we have a base on the moon which has a gigantic laser cannon which has to protect us from another attack and space travel has become as easy as taking the bus. I wasn’t expecting the high-tech society presented here and it took a while for me to get used to it.

Fortunately many familiar faces appear as almost everyone except for Will Smith appear here. But there is also room for some fresh blood. Maika Monroe play the daughter of the former president. She’s in a relationship with Jake Morrison (Liam Hemsworth), a pilot who doesn’t always follow rules and because of that almost killed Dylan Hiller (Jessie T. Usher), the stepson of Steven Hiller (Will Smith). The two still can’t get along, but when an alien ship appears which is about to destroy the world humanity again has to face an enemy which seems impossible to beat.

 When it comes to story it is, as expected, pretty much the same as the previous film. Unfortunately, that does not mean Resurgence is just as good. Very little time is spent on introducing the new characters. You get an idea who they are, but not enough to care for them. Dialog is often very clunky and as the movie progresses you get the feeling that director Roland Emmerich has lost the ability to create tension.

Although the first movie was clearly a disaster film, this is better labeled as an action movie where the story has to move as quickly as possible in order to reach the next action set piece. Difficult issues characters face are usually resolved within ten seconds, so it lacks suspense. And because of that the drama the movie has never feels convincing. There simply isn’t any room for you to process it. It’s also obvious that a lot of money has been invested by Chinese firms as the movie is filled with product placement for Chinese brands. Does that make Resurgence a film you shouldn’t watch? I wouldn’t go that far as this popcorn movie does offer a lot of spectacle and makes two hours feel a lot shorter.